Shirley Rae Ward was born August 10, 1936, to Cornie and Mary Ruth (Jansen) Van Den Baard, in Pella, Iowa. She passed away on February 14, 2017, at Hospice of Pella Comfort House.

Shirley attended a country school near Pella and lived in the area her entire life. Throughout her career, Shirley worked for Heritage Lace, Olan Mills, Super 8, Comfort Inn, Pella Corporation (Rolscreen), and drove school bus for Pella Community Schools for 43 years. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Pella where she taught Sunday school, Bible school, choir and was the church clerk.

Shirley was most known for being an avid fan of Pella High Athletics and music departments. Her deepest love was participating in the Pella High Boys and Girls basketball program where she was a consistent figure for many years. It was most sure that if Pella "green" was participating, Shirley was cheering loud and proud of her "TEAM!" Some of Shirley's other hobbies were bowling, crossword puzzles, taking cruises, and most of all spending time with her grandkids!

Shirley's eternal hope is that we all have a relationship with the Lord.

Those left to cherish her memory are her husband Walt, and her children and their families:

Kim Sowles Crawford, Spokane, Washington
Abigal Crawford
Mason, Amelia, Isaac Crawford-Heim
Megan Armstrong
Josiah, Silas, Malachi Armstrong

Scott (Kay) Sowles, Chino, California
Kimberly Sowles
Krystal Sowles

The late Brian "Monk" (Laura) Sowles, Pella, Iowa

Monte (Beth) Sowles, West Covina, California
Tiffany Sowles
Monica Sowles

Joe (Jan) Van Hemert, Pella, Iowa
Jazz Van Hemert
Jrake Van Hemert

Step children:
Denny (Terri) Van Hemert, Ogden, Iowa
Courtney, Caitlyn
Tara (Scott) Scrogen, Omaha, Nebraska
Trevin (Peggy) Ward, Ames, Iowa
Trevin II, Brendan
TyAnn Ward, Des Moines, Iowa

Shirley is also survived by her siblings: Norman Van Den Baard, Florida; Joni Van Den Baard, Iowa; Diana Burkin, Iowa; and Peggy Van Den Baard, Iowa.

She was preceded in death by her parents Cornie and Ruth Van Den Baard; husband Ray Van Hemert; and son Brian "Monk"Sowles.

Visitation

9:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M., Saturday, February 18, 2017
Garden Chapel Funeral Home
2:00 - 4:00 P.M., Sunday, February 19, 2017
Family present
First Baptist Church
Pella, Iowa

Funeral Service

11:00 A.M., Monday, February 20, 2017
First Baptist Church
Pella, Iowa

In Lieu Of Flowers Memorials May Be Given To

Pella Community High School – Athletics Scorer's Table
First Baptist Church

Family

Husband: Walt Ward, Pella
Children: Kim Crawford, Spokane, Washington;
Scott (Kay) Sowles, Chino, California;
(the late Brian "Monk") Laura Sowles, Pella, Iowa;
Monte (Beth) Sowles, West Covina, California;
Joe (Jan) Van Hemert, Pella, Iowa